It Came From Outer Space, Bearing Secrets

By Nicolas Rapold

April 26, 2013

“Hamesima X” is a mystical tract seemingly reincarnated in the ultra-cheesy body of a 1980s straight-to-video thriller. Despite its outlandish premise, it’s a classic example of a feature-length foregone conclusion, in which a sulky skeptic is shown the light. In this Israeli film — directed by Yuval Ovadia, Or Yashar and Prosper Malka — a Mossad agent interrogates a mysterious visitor from outer space only to find religion himself.

The gorilla-size interrogator (Shalom Sharon Raginiano) is a jerk who ignores his wife and children and disrespects the memory of his dead father. But then the visitor (a beatific Mr. Ovadia) lays out the history of the universe and assorted higher truths. In a sidesplitting montage, a soul-and-body diagram (reminiscent of a digestion-aid commercial) is followed by an illustration of man’s bestial side in the form of our hero chomping on a sub sandwich.

Also appearing at random intervals, and amounting to a dare to call the film’s bluff, are a kung fu fighter and a serpent-tongued stringy-haired tramp who may exist only in the interrogator’s imagination. It’s no spoiler to report that his attitude evolves from credible suspicion to a relieved embrace of the visitor’s kabbalistic teachings. The protagonist’s life changes for the better, but your mileage may vary.

Hamesima X

Opens on Saturday in Manhattan.

Written and directed by Yuval Ovadia, Or Yashar and Prosper Malka; director of photography, Mr. Yashar; produced and edited by Mr. Ovadia; music by Idan Yitzhayek and Paul Avgerinos; art director, Ori Aminov; costumes by Ofer Shachar. At the Quad Cinema, 34 West 13th Street, Greenwich Village. In Hebrew, with English subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 28 minutes. This film is not rated.